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Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2010

Valley fever cases drop at state prison in Coalinga

FRESNO -- The number of cases of Valley fever at Pleasant Valley State Prison in Coalinga has decreased significantly, according to a report released Monday by the Fresno County grand jury.

Previously, 30 to 40 cases of Valley Fever were diagnosed each month among inmates, the report said. Now about 10 to 15 cases are diagnosed each month. The report did not specify over what time period the change occurred.

The prison's warden, James Yates, said he believes the decrease is because there has been less construction work in Coalinga.

Construction work can release fungus spores from the soil, but in the last year or two, construction work has slowed significantly in Coalinga, Yates said. The airborne spores are inhaled by inmates, who then become ill with Valley fever.

The grand jury also noted that there was less construction work near the prison, but it credited the prison's doctors and nurses for the improved conditions.

"Statistics show a definite drop in cases 1/8of Valley fever 3/8 and the grand jury believes that the medical staff should be commended," the report said.

The grand jury said the federal receiver who now oversees the state prison system's health care services has helped improve salaries and working conditions among prison doctors. But Yates said that he believes that the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation was "well on its way to improving before the receiver came along." The report also raised several issues that have been addressed in previous grand jury reports on the prison, including overcrowding and the need for more office space for doctors.